Chapter Text
The day Tang Bo moved to Shaanxi, he knew he made the right choice to move away from the family. After all, it's his life, so he’s going to live it.
Back home Tang Bo was often praised for his strength and knowledge, but with it came the expectations. He caused quite a bit of trouble within the family. The more of a genius he made himself out to be, the more he outshined the others, especially the next heads of the family. So it wasn’t a surprise that not long after he earned the title, Dark Serpent; For delivering quick and sharp attacks that leave opponents unable to counter. In a way it was a good thing he left. After all he was no longer under any family pressure or any disdain from relatives.
When he’s done unpacking he decided to take a look around the neighbourhood. He puts on some of the long sleeved robes he brought with him and tied his hair up in a simple half up and half down hairstyle.
As he was heading out of the apartment complex he saw someone, a pretty good looking guy - though it was hard to tell with their face being covered - chatting with a lady at the desk. Their hair tied high and was wearing a hoodie and sweatpants; Tang Bo can only assume that this was one of his neighbours living in the apartment. Or a delivery man, from the way he’s dressed.
However what really caught his attention was the guy’s piercing eyes that were an unusual colour, he doesn’t think there are that many people with a pretty shade of pink. The plastic bag the guy was holding also caught his eye - oddly enough.
He couldn’t help himself and secretly glance at the contents of the plastic bag. Inside wasn’t too unusual, just a water bottle and some ingredients, based on the time it could be for their lunch or even for dinner, though what kind of meal requires a dagger? How odd..
Tang Bo wouldn’t say he was antisocial or anything, but he would like to keep his distance from his neighbour for the time being. But if he did have a run in with this neighbour, then he’s fairly confident in his skills to handle him.
Having seen enough, he walked past the other and was out the door. Meanwhile the pink eyed man simply turned his head just as he saw Tang Bo’s back disappear.
“Did someone finally rent out room 210?”
The person at the desk looked up, before confirming that he was just moving in this morning.
“…”
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Weaving through the crowds of people, Tang Bo got to know of some interesting news through the chattering.
First being that there was a really good noodle place down the street. Second, Shaanxi was the home of an infamous sect, the Mount Hua Sect. They had a long and rich history of martial arts and Taoism, however the sect started declining after a fire that destroyed the very mountain top it stood on two years ago.
Based on the rumours, an evil faction emerged from the shadows and attacked the sect as an act of revenge after they put a stop to their evil plans.
However some say that the person who really put a stop to their plans was someone called Plum Blossom Sword Dragon; Someone who performed beautifully and gracefully, but delivers almost deadly blows to any enemy they face. Unfortunately recently some haven’t even heard of the Sword Dragon.
Tang Bo has heard of the Plum Blossom Sword Dragon plenty of times back home. It's such a shame Tang Bo didn’t come sooner because who knows if that person is still here or if he, too, parished in the blaze.
After all from what he heard, the Plum Blossom Sword Dragon was last seen running up the burning mountain two years ago.
————————
By the time he finished his exploration and was returning home the sun was already touching the horizon.
As Tang Bo walked through the almost empty streets his phone rang. Taking out the phone, the screen displayed the caller, Tang Jun.
“Hello?”
“Hyung!” Tang Jun’s voice comes out the other end, “How’s the new place?”
“Pretty good”, Tang Bo thought back to when he was searching for an apartment and moving in the moment he was able to pay the first few months rent. “However it seems I’m a little late to challenge Shaanxi’s Plum Blossom Sword Dragon..”
“Plum Blossom Sword Dragon?..” Tang Jun sighs, the name sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t remember where it came from. This person had a title and he knew his cousin’s tendency to seek out strong opponents. Seriously, sometimes Tang Jun wonders when Tang Bo’s arrogance was going to catch up to him.
Having remembered something he added, “where are you right now?”
“I’m just heading back after eating some amazing moon cakes, why?”, Tang Bo replies casually.
“Then you better hurry back because I heard there is going to be some rainfall in the Shaanxi area.”
Then as if on cue, a droplet fell on his nose, “ah.”
Not wanting to get drenched by the incoming rain he immediately started seeking shelter, which happened to be underneath a bus stop cover.
“Hyung?..” came a hesitant voice from the phone still in his hand, “Hyung!”
“Still here, don’t worry.”
“Oh good”, Tang Jun said, relieved. “I was going to ask you to start hissing if I couldn’t get a human response.”
“Maybe I will start ‘hissing’ then”, annoyed that his cousin had to mention the unfortunate condition Tang Bo got during their previous trip.
Laughing Tang Jun remarked, “kind of fitting don’t you think?”
~~~~~
Two years ago, Tang Bo and Tang Jun found themselves in the Bayankala Mountain range to collect medicinal water from the Jusenkyo springs which carried a very interesting tale. Or tragedies, if you count the amount of drowning incidents there were, hence why they were called, the Cursed Springs.
The cousins were told to be careful when collecting the water because of the amount of people falling in, however couldn’t elaborate further due to having to attend to other visitors.
Tang Jun went about with the task at hand, Tang Bo on the other hand heard that the spring was used for martial arts training.
So after Tang Bo finished with his half of the water sampling, he went to see how much experience one would really gain from training in such a ‘dangerous’ place as the Cursed Springs.
Even Tang Jun’s attempts to persuade him were futile.
Unfortunately, one misstep landed him into one of the springs below. Tang Jun, seeing this, ran over. But what emerged wasn’t the Tang Bo he knew, it was a long green snake.
It wasn’t until later, that it was found out the real reason why the spring was called cursed; Depending on which spring one falls into the person will take the form of whatever drowned in that spring.
The spring that Tang Bo fell in was ‘the spring of drowned snake’. A tragic tale of a snake who drowned itself after the loss of its lover, as their guide tells them.
The only way to turn him back was to pour hot water on him. Now he had to be sure not to get cold water poured on him, unless he wanted to be a snake again.
Tang Bo is still mad that his robes got drenched in the process. Not only that, he lost one of his daggers, which he assumed got lost as he was throwing it when he misstepped. Such a waste, too, he had them custom made.
~~~~~
Speaking of that dagger, he wonders if it’s still back in Jusenkyo somewhere…
After he hung up, the rain was still pouring heavily now, ‘Guess I could be here awhile.” He sighed, already feeling the excitement of today’s events simmer down.
To his right rushed footsteps were heard. Turning his head, it was a young girl also hoping to find shelter from the rain. As she got closer he could hear her mumbling curses.
Which is understandable because from what he can tell the girl might’ve been on a run before the rain came pouring, now she was completely soaked from head to toe.
Tang Bo must’ve been staring for too long because the girl suddenly turned to him. “Tsk, what are you looking at?”, she asked, annoyed.
‘She seems like a nice girl, but the moment her mouth opens…’, Tang Bo grimaced, turning away.
They both stand in silence for a bit before Tang Bo shifts his gaze back towards the girl. Her arms were wrapped around herself with an irritated expression on her face. Those pink eyes of hers stared ahead as she shivered slightly. ‘Pink eyes must not be as uncommon as I thought…’, he thinks.
Feeling eyes on her again, she turns to face him. Sweeping her gaze over his body, almost as if examining him, she then asked sarcastically, “You don’t happen to have an umbrella hiding in those big sleeves of yours now do you?”
“Huh?”
“I mean with how wide your sleeves are I wouldn’t be surprised if you used them as a way to cover yourself”, rolling her eyes like it’s the most obvious thing one could do with wide sleeves.
“Yea, I could.” Tang Bo said blankly, ‘if I wanted to turn into a snake that is.’
“Hey…” he asked hesitantly, “weird question, but do you happen to have any relatives?”
“…What.” Eyes narrowing slightly. Somehow the air around them suddenly got colder.
“Please don’t take offence,” quickly trying to deflect the glare being sent his way. “It’s just that I saw someone with the same eye colour in my apartment building.”
“Apartment building? Wait-!” She exclaimed, pointing a finger in his direction. “You’re that new tenant in room 210!”
Surprised and confused he ask, “then does that mean you and that guy are related??” Which would explain why they both have the same eyes.
“Guy? What?-“, realizing what she saying she quickly backtracked, “Y-yea! That guy is my uhh- brother! Yup, brother…” turning away nervously.
Despite the somewhat awkward confirmation, Tang Bo was still somewhat suspicious. Especially since now she won’t look at him in the eyes and is fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. This girl really is an odd one…
..
…
…?
‘Wait. Who is this girl anyway??’ Slowly turning his head towards this unknown girl beside him, again. He felt an odd wave of dread come over him.
Back in Sichuan, there was once a rumour about men falling victim to the charms of a beautiful woman then disappearing, but could this be? No, he was in Shaanxi now, but then again the men has to fall or at least be tempted. The girl was on the other hand…
Actually he can’t really get a good look with all her hair covering her face.
She must’ve noticed as well because she started trying to pull it back, until she realized, “shit! I lost my hair tie.”
She looked around for a bit, before remembering that man right next to her also had somewhat long hair. “Hey, you don’t happen to have any hair ties on you? Or maybe even a ribbon?”
Digging around his sleeve he pulled out a long, dark green ribbon; which he handing to her without much thought. He did have a few ribbons so losing one was no problem.
“If I may ask, what is your name?”
Quickly snatching the ribbon and tying her wet hair up so it’s away from her face she responded, “Cheong Myeong.”
Both seeing that the rain isn’t going to lighten up anytime soon, Cheong Myeong made a bold move. “Let’s run out together.”
“What.”
“With how wide your sleeves are we could use them as cover so we could see a little better through the rain.” She explained.
Receiving silence on Tang Bo’s end, she quickly added, “we’re both heading in the same direction, right? Plus it’s going to get dark soon so it’s best that we both make it home before then.”
It wasn’t a bad idea, really, but if he were to step out now he’d immediately turn into a snake! It would also be a hassle to change back as well.
“I don’t-“
Splash!
Seems like he didn’t have to worry about getting wet by the rain, when a bus could always just get him drenched the same way.
In his place, now sat a pile of clothing, a few seconds later a tiny green head popped out from underneath the robes.
With his little secret out, he turned to face the wide eyed girl next to him.
“…”
“…”
Hisss..
“HUUHHH?!”